Iran’s FM Urges Immediate Release of Bahraini Opposition Leader
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on Wednesday for the immediate freedom of prominent Bahraini opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman, held by the ruling regime.
“Coercive attitudes towards the respected leaders, who have not deviated from peaceful approaches to pursue public demands despite the tough political and security conditions in recent years, will complicate the situation and increase the threats,” Zarif said on Wednesday.
The top Iranian diplomat said the global reaction to Sheikh Salman’s arrest shown by various religious authorities indicate that he is a highly respected leader and that his “moderate approach” and the al-Wefaq Society enjoy international popularity.
The comments came after Bahrain’s ruling regime, Al Khalifa, detained secretary general of Bahrain’s main opposition party al-Wefaq National Islamic Society on Sunday after long hours of investigations in criminal investigations building.
Sheikh Salman’s lawyer has asserted that his client is charged with “provoking hatred for the ruling regime and attending illegal demonstrations”.
Following the massive anti-regime protests held on Friday, Bahrain's Interior Ministry had ordered Salman to appear before police investigators on Sunday without providing any explanation as to why the summons was issued.
